Sam Allardyce: I’ll save Everton players for Merseyside derby

Jagielka is hoping to be fit for the derby following a hamstring problemRichard Heathcote/Getty Images

Sam Allardyce will prioritise his first Merseyside derby by taking a weakened Everton squad to fulfil their final Europa League game.

Everton are bottom of group E after losing four of their five matches and Allardyce will select a shadow party for Thursday’s match with Apollon Limassol. That game comes three days before the trip to face Liverpool and Allardyce, who was the last manager to win at Anfield when he guided Crystal Palace to victory in April, is keen to take no risks.

“It is a dead rubber,” he said. “I would suggest to the fans that if you are going to spend some money to go and watch, be mindful that I am going to send a team that is not going to…

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